Chapter XXI.—Let us obey God, and not
the authors of sedition.

Take heed, beloved, lest
His many kindnesses lead to the condemnation of us all. [For thus it must
be] unless we walk worthy of Him, and with one mind do those things which
are good and well-pleasing in His sight. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place,
“The Spirit of the Lord is a candle searching the secret parts of
the belly.”9090Prov. xx. 27. Let us reflect how near He
is, and that none of the thoughts or reasonings in which we engage are
hid from Him. It is right, therefore, that we should not leave the post
which His will has assigned us. Let us rather
offend those men who are foolish, and inconsiderate, and lifted up, and
who glory in the pride of their speech, than [offend] God. Let us
reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us; let us
esteem those who have the rule over us;9191 Comp. Heb. xiii. 17; 1
Thess. v. 12, 13. let us honour the aged9292 Or, “the
presbyters.” among us; let us train up the young men in
the fear of God; let us direct our wives to that which is good. Let them
exhibit the lovely habit of purity [in all their conduct]; let them show
forth the sincere disposition of meekness; let them make manifest the
command which they have of their tongue, by their manner9393 Some read, “by their
silence.” of speaking; let them display their love, not
by preferring9494 Comp.
1 Tim. v. 21. one to another, but by
showing equal affection to all that piously fear God. Let your children
be partakers of true Christian training; let them learn of how great
avail humility is with God—how much the spirit of pure affection
can prevail with Him—how excellent and great His fear is, and how
it saves all those who walk in9595 Some translate, “who turn to Him.” it with a pure mind. For He is a Searcher of the thoughts and
desires [of the heart]: His breath is in us; and when He pleases, He will
take it away.